We Iksar's smile, laugh, cry, bleed and
do all the things that other races of Norrath enjoy. Why is that we
are portrait as evil? Are we so different? Before I could continue
with my thoughts I heard a knock at the door “comess inss”, I
said. The door open meekly and a newly hatch Iksar by the looks of
his shinny skin perhaps only a few days old stood in front of me with
a scroll in his left hand. He extended his arm with the scroll and
said in a high whispery voice “takesss”. Before I could grab the
scroll the youngling drop it in my hand and in a blink of an eye he
was gone.
I have been been through my ritual
of birth by gaining my freedom. Each egg-clutch is buried under ten
feet of moss and peat to control the temperature. At a precise moment
the eggs hatch and its up to each Iksar to dig themselves out. All
that were not strong enough would die. Now this, after long months of
training, study and bloodlettings the Master
thought it was time. I had been expecting this, but so soon? I was
not ready, I had so much to learn. But I could not refuse the summons
of the Master. The scroll
read:
It is the time of your rebirth. You
are no longer a broodling.
You are now an apprentice of the
dark circle. Your lessons
shall begin immediately. Return
this note to me. I await
within your new home, the Tower of
Death.
The Harbinger
From past studies I knew I was
expected to arrive with nothing in hand and have all my affairs in
order. For the summons only meant death or life.
I arrived at the Tower of Death or
more commonly known as the Necromancer Guild Hall, where two sentries
stood in guard. The building stood at the north-west corner of West Cabilis.
The city itself was built from a crater created by the last war
between the dragons and the great Iksar Empire.
At the grand entrance stood Master
Kyvix of the Necromancer Guild waiting for me. That is odd, I thought
The Harbinger would meet me at the entrance. Could this be a trick?
With apprehension I walk up to the Master and hail him. He responded quite irritated and a frown began to cross his face. For an instant I knew I was dead, but he simply said, “Quite busy!! Quite busy!!” and mumble something about new components. So he was not waiting for me but someone else. Before he could say anything else I quickly move away into the next room before he notice me again. That was close, I need to be really carefully. If rumors were true most of the guild masters were half crazy and would even toast you and eat you before you knew it.
With apprehension I walk up to the Master and hail him. He responded quite irritated and a frown began to cross his face. For an instant I knew I was dead, but he simply said, “Quite busy!! Quite busy!!” and mumble something about new components. So he was not waiting for me but someone else. Before he could say anything else I quickly move away into the next room before he notice me again. That was close, I need to be really carefully. If rumors were true most of the guild masters were half crazy and would even toast you and eat you before you knew it.
Now for my summons. I quickly
maneuver through the different floors of the tower. Like most towers
there is a spiral stair case on each landing were Masters of
different dark arts were conducting bizarre experiments. It seemed like the
Master's were more occupy in dissecting other races and examining
their brains than talking to apprentices. I began to think of the great discoveries that could be discovered
but now was not the time for chit-chat plus I rather not be eaten
today.
At the top of the stair case stood
The Harbinger in the process of casting a spell. When he saw me
arrived he quickly stop what he has doing and hid a dagger under his
robes as I approach. He was of modest size but his skin coloring told
of his age and robustness in the harnessing of the magical forces. He
was no one to be trifle with. In an angry tone he said “You dare
interrupt me? You had bestss have a good reasonsss. I care not for
smallss talkss”. I walk toward him and handed my summoning scroll.
He took the scroll and said “Another apprenticess ready for
rebirth.” In a hastily tone he continue, “You now have become one
with the Brood of Kotiz” as he continue to speak I keep trying to
figure out what he was trying to hide. Then I heard him say,”This
drape shall be the sign to all Iksar that you walk with the Brood.
Now go speakss with Xydoz”.
I accepted the rolled up purple robe
of the necromancer and promptly left before he got any angrier. He follow me with his eyes until I was well out of sight.
Master Xydoz was not hard to find,
he was just down the next landing. Master Xydoz was like the other
Masters, he had the look of being absent minded but cold and alert at
the same time. I walk towards him and he greeted me “ What iss that
you seek in the towerss. I see that you robes are new, a new
apprenticess? Hsss. You are require to wear the apprentice cap. By
the looks of your stupid face. Hsss.. you don't know. Bring me four
Sarnak hatching brainsss. Go now youngling”. I was not going to
stay to be told a second time to leave.
Once outside the tower I felt
better. That was not so bad after all. I survive and I have my robes.
Now what should I do? I can't go back and ask them more questions I
will certainly die. First things first, let see what i have. This was a good time as any to try on my new
robe. Once I unfolded my robe I found three spells, some food and
water and a knife. At least they did not want me to die right away. After
taking a swig of lizard milk and a bite of dried up rations I definitely felt better
but I still had no idea what to do. I guess the best thing is to
explore this city and become familiar with its streets and vendors.
